OK, I didn't exactly hear it from sources. I'm just trying to explain how the Broncos' new brain trust has come through four picks and three rounds of the NFL draft without addressing their most obvious need.

"I would have felt better if we could have gotten a defensive tackle a little bit earlier," coach John Fox admitted afterward.

Don't get me wrong. I'm fine with Von Miller at the top of the first round. With the second overall pick, you take the best player on the board, no matter where he plays. You go for greatness, your best shot at a 10-time all-pro.

The fact that Miller, a linebacker, is probably the best pass rusher in the draft is a bonus, because pass rushing is obviously a need too.

And if cheering weren't bad form among the media wretches, I would have clapped once or twice when they dropped nine spots from No. 36 to pick up two additional picks because, let's face it, seven picks weren't nearly enough to start rebuilding this outfit.

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I began envisioning a pair of tackles at Nos. 45 and 46, maybe Stephen Paea and Marvin Austin, or possibly lesser-known behemoths. When they selected Rahim Moore, a safety, at No. 45, that was OK too, because the Broncos could really use a ballhawk, a center fielder, although I'm not sure why anybody will throw on them if they don't have any defensive tackles.

But when they backed that up with Orlando Franklin, an offensive tackle, I admit I was stumped. Granted, Ryan Harris no longer is the favorite he once was, but I'm not sure he's the weakest link on the offensive line, let alone the third-greatest need on the team. Of course, the way Josh McDaniels treated him, he might not sign here even if they wanted him to. So OK, a big, strong offensive tackle to run behind.

When they went for Nate Irving at No. 67, another linebacker, I was stumped again. Obviously, stumping me is not that hard to do, but when we asked Irving if he's an inside or outside backer, he was stumped too.

"We have a lot of holes," Fox said.

Each of these guys might turn into a stud. I'm not a scout, and I really don't know.

What I do know is the Broncos ranked 31st in the NFL against the run last season, surrendering an average of 154.6 yards on the ground. Any week you give up 150 yards rushing is a bad week. When that's your average week, you have a serious problem.

Signaling their own frustration with this ineptitude, the Broncos cut linemen Jamal Williams and Justin Bannan, who started every game.

I admit, maybe you should cut these guys on principle, but don't you have to replace them? You can't just leave a big hole there, can you?

I know, I know, free agency. But look, that's where they found Williams and Bannan, not to mention Kevin Vickerson, who started 12 games last year and was re-signed.

After all, it was John Elway who said just last week they were going to build their new foundation through the draft, not free agency.

"We had some guys in mind," Fox said. "But there's still a lot of draft left. There's some guys still there that we've got some interest in."

He also said this: "We have guys on our team now that can start. It's not like we have nobody."

That would be Vickerson and Marcus Thomas, like Williams and Bannan co-conspirators in last year's disaster. Thomas played behind the guys they cut.

Of course, they can go back to the free-agent well that brought them Williams and Bannan and maybe come up with Marcus Stroud, Aubrayo Franklin, Kris Jenkins, Tommie Harris or, hey, maybe Albert Haynesworth.

OK, just kidding.

Seriously, the four players they've drafted so far look like excellent athletes who should make them better. Now, if they would just fill the gigantic hole in the middle of their defense, maybe they can get the NFL Network to take down that constant reminder: "Denver Broncos — Have not made the playoffs since 2005."